Nflpa Warns J.j. As Players Complain About Camp

DOLPHINS NOTEBOOK

DAVIE - — Dolphins coach Jimmy Johnson has shown that he wants to be aggressive in practice. Too aggressive, according to the NFL Players Association.

The Dolphins, Kansas City and Minnesota were among a half dozen teams that received warnings this week from the players' union complaining that recent practices were too rough.

NFLPA Assistant Executive Director Doug Allen said the union received calls from several Dolphins, including defensive end Trace Armstrong, who was elected president of the NFLPA this year.

"The language in the collective bargaining agreement makes it clear that live hitting is not allowed during the offseason program and minicamps," Allen said. Allen added that the problem during practice was corrected.

The NFLPA said the Dolphins had excessive contact between defensive backs and receivers and between offensive and defensive linemen during the team's minicamp and quarterback school that ran through last Thursday.

Allen said the hitting was not only a violation of the agreement, but counterproductive.

"There is no functional reason to hit in the offseason," Allen said. "Offensive and defensive linemen can't practice technique unless they have pads on because they need the pads to grab. What it comes down to is controlling the practice habits of players, especially younger guys who think they make the team by head-butting somebody. I appreciate a coach's desire for exuberance, but we don't want players getting hurt. I know the coaches don't, either."

Johnson backed Allen's last point, but indicated he wasn't in full agreement with the complaint.

"We don't want to do any drills that will get players injured," Johnson said. "But this is a physical game, even without pads."

Allen said the problem wasn't new, that coaches have crossed the line from time to time in the past. It's just a situation that has to be monitored.

Allen also said he didn't think there would be a problem between Armstrong and Johnson over the matter.

"This is not aimed at Jimmy," Allen said. "I know he's going to work those guys hard because that's his style. But that doesn't mean he wants guys to get hurt. The coaches who coach Super Bowl teams don't worry about things like this. Guys like Joe Gibbs and Bill Walsh just correct it and go on. Jimmy is never going to be confused with Buddy Ryan, neither in terms of his record or how he treats players. Buddy Ryan wanted to break the rules, whatever they were."

Two scouts leave

Scouts Joe Bushofsky and Bobby Williams have both left the Dolphins staff. Bushofsky took a scouting job with Carolina and Williams' contract was not renewed. One of the two spots was filled when Tom Heckert Jr. was moved to college scout. Director of College Scouting Tom Braatz said the team is going over a list of 20 candidates to fill the other scouting vacancy. Among the names on the list is Philadelphia scout Jeff Smith, who worked with Johnson in Dallas and with director of football operations Bob Ackles in both Dallas and Philadelphia.